One of my earliest gaming memories is of playing 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet alongside my brother on our Gateway computer. We’d often challenge each other to see who could achieve the highest score while immersed in this timeless game. Interestingly, if only we had a time machine, a future-tech PC, and a monitor yet to be created by 2025, we could have experienced the game at an astonishing 5,000 frames per second!
Dave Plummer, who was instrumental in creating various components of Windows including Media Center, Task Manager, native ZIP support, and more, also moved the game 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet from Windows NT to Windows 95. In a recent YouTube post, Plummer revealed that there could have been a glitch in the game that enabled it to run at approximately 5,000 frames per second (FPS).
As a passionate fan, I’d share this: “I found an issue with my custom game engine – it was churning out frames as quickly as possible,” I shared. Given that the game was written for a MIPS R4000 processor running at 200MHz, the classic 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet was smoothly rendering between 60-90 frames per second (FPS). However, with hardware advancements came a new bug in the game.
Skip ahead a few years, someone observes that playing Pinball consistently utilizes an entire core on multi-processorial systems.
As an analyst, I’ve noticed that the machine is pushing its limits, running at approximately 5,000 frames per second. This speed is a testament to how far technology has come; machines today are significantly faster than they once were.
Our friends at PC Gamer shared the story and provided more context.
Regrettably, due to a limitation set by former Microsoft engineer Raymond Chen, it’s unlikely that the silky-smooth experience of 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet will run at high framerates on premium gaming displays.
On Dave’s Garage, a different YouTube channel operated by Plummer, they discussed the story about resolving issues with the 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet game.
In simpler terms, although it may seem amusing to make light of the situation now, Plummer emphasized the gravity of the issue back then. He said, “A bug that ended up in the product and needed fixing in a Service Pack was never something to laugh about. It was more like a source of embarrassment.
Recently, Chen talked about the steps Microsoft took to minimize bugs in Windows 95. A key part of this was testing the compatibility of the operating system with numerous computer applications.
In simpler terms, it might be beneficial for Microsoft in the year 2025 to address some criticisms they’ve been receiving regarding bugs, particularly those affecting Windows 11 and SSDs. Recently, there have been claims that Windows 11 is causing SSDs to malfunction. Furthermore, due to privacy and security concerns, the much-anticipated feature, Recall, intended for Copilot+ PCs, has experienced significant delays.
As an onlooker, I’ve noticed a shift in Microsoft’s strategies under the leadership of our Executive Editor, Jez Corden. He suggests that Microsoft’s evolution of Xbox, Surface, and even Windows, may not be mere coincidence, but rather a deliberate process aimed at redefining these products.
Looking at Microsoft’s other offerings such as Windows 11, Surface devices, and even their earlier projects, the history of empty pledges, abrupt cancellations, and unfulfilled promises seems to indicate a company that is hesitant to take risks or provide products enough time to reach their full potential.
Microsoft appears to be consistently following trends where other pioneering companies are thriving, rather than nurturing and developing new ideas. The question arises as to how products like Xbox, Surface, or Windows 11 can expand without taking risks, making investments, and building consumer trust. In a world where Microsoft has substantial resources to move with the prevailing winds, it seems they aren’t overly concerned about this approach. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
According to Satya Nadellas statements from April, around 30% of Microsoft’s code is generated by artificial intelligence. This suggests that Microsoft is open to experimenting with new technologies and pushing boundaries, even though not everybody may find the approach appealing.
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2025-09-10 15:12